bug?

no more daylight

(just a oneshot with one of my characters)

Hutch Oritz squinted as the cell door opened, spilling light across the small stone room. The Fae Queen stood in front of him, silhouetted in torch light from the hall.

"So good to see you, Master Oritz," she greeted him pleasantly, a smile crawling across her face. Hutch said nothing in response. He was out of energy, plain and simple, and preferred not to waste his breath on pleasantries.

The Queen huffed a little, likely dismayed by his silence."You must be wondering why I came to visit."

Hutch was wondering that, actually. All these days—weeks, maybe—of pain and questions and she hadn't made an appearance. Until now. He watched her glide forwards until she was standing directly above him.

"I hope you're here to kill me," he muttered, surprised at how hoarse his voice was.

Her smile returned. "Oh no, Master Oritz, I'm not going to kill you. I'm going to hurt you. I'm going to play games with you. Twist your  mind until it breaks. But I'm not going to kill you." Her expression changed to one Hutch couldn't quite read. All he knew was that it scared him. That was what he'd become; a helpless, fearful excuse for a man. Afraid of the sadistic queen. Terrified that her words held some truth. Still, whether because he was still too damn stubborn or because he was desperate to hold on to a shred of dignity, he ordered himself not to make his fear known.

The Queen stared him down, calmly lifting a hand. Hutch flinched instinctively, immediately cursing himself for doing so, and trying to cover it with a weak cough. But she'd seen it. And she smiled all the more.

She snapped her fingers and a guard entered, holding a long, glowing rod. Hutch clenched his jaw. So this was what she came here for? To burn him? Let her. He'd already taken such injuries in the weeks before, as proven by the half-healed burn marks scattered across his arms, chest, and back. Hutch knew it would hurt like hell, but he was almost used to it by now, morbid as the idea was.

He lifted his chin, preparing for what came next, then noticed as the guard came closer that it wasn't a rod at all. Sure, it was red-hot, but the end of it was wider, shaped like a circle with an ornate tree within it. Hutch recognized it as the Fae Royal Crest, then realized with horror that it was a brand. She was going to brand him. He began to struggle against his restraints, even though he already knew how pointless it was.

The Fae Queen laughed. "You thought I was joking, didn't you?" she said, taking the brand from her guard. "You were wrong, as usual. I own you, Hutch Oritz. You're mine." With that, she pressed the brand into his chest. Hutch couldn't hold back his scream. It was all too much of a shock. Owned. Hers. No. He was no one's but his own. He couldn't let himself become a stupid plaything to a soulless queen. But what could he do? What could he do?

Nothing. He was trapped. Hopeless. Pathetic. No one was coming for him, and why would they? He cursed himself for the hundredth time for leaving without a word to Lilac. And for pushing her away. For starting that last argument. He'd never see her again now. His fault. Trapped here forever as the Fae Queen's pet. His fault. The pain of that was almost worse than the searing metal.

Finally, she removed the brand, handing it back to the guard. Hutch tried to look defiant, but found he couldn't anymore. He was exhausted, and more aware than ever of how much pain he was in.

The Queen strode to the door, and grabbed the handle. "I hope you got a good look at the sun the last time you were outside, Master Oritz," she said, her back to him. "Because that was the last time you'll ever see it."

The door slammed shut, plunging his world into darkness once more. And this time, Hutch Oritz couldn't quite choke back his sobs.